MovieChat Forums > Sunset Blvd. (1950) Discussion > Which is a better film - this or "All Ab...

Which is a better film - this or "All About Eve"?

posted 7 years ago by Otter (24464)
9 replies | jump to latest

Both highly acclaimed 1950s dramas dominated by a diva actress, which both veer into camp and which absolutely work as drama.

I've always loved "Sunset Boulevard" more myself, there are a million stories about showbiz backstabbing, but there's only one gothic and grandiose drama about Hollywood! And Gloria Swanson totally out-divas Bette Davis in this matchup, her final glittering mad descent down the staircase beats the hell out of anything Bette did in "Eve".

[–] Jennie_Portrait (804) 7 years ago

I like "All About Eve" better because it's not really tragic. It's more like real life. Margo Channing wasn't destroyed by Eve.

[–] MissMargoChanning (6630) 7 years ago

Well, with a screen name like mine, you had better know I'm going to say All About Eve.
The dialogue was snappy, the characters interesting and I still wanted more at the end of that movie.

Sunset Boulevard is nothing to sneeze at though. I love watching it on a lazy afternoon.

[–] GrowingFamily (271) 7 years ago

That's a difficult decision to make! Both of those movies are brilliant. I prefer All About Eve for all the reasons others mentioned above, but also for the costume design. I think it's my favorite Bette Davis movie. She was so glamorous and I've always admired her cocktail dress that had pockets.

[–] Culburn (3638) 7 years ago

"Sunset" --- though any time you have Celeste Holm in a movie, you're blessed. Her in "Gentleman's Agreement" is a wonderment upon the earth. The idiot Peck chooses McGuire. I'll never understand it as long as I live. She's facilitates "Eve" makes it more than it actually was. I'll stay with "Sunset" but I'll think about it.

"Eve" has that hot scene at the end with "Eve" & the new girl going for it. Just "Eve" putting her arm around this girl is enough. "Eve" will be the top. The youngster the bottom. You don't need to see anything else.

[–] Tristan_Booth (405) 6 years ago

Gloria Swanson totally out-divas Bette Davis in this matchup

That's exactly why I like All About Eve better. I know that SB is considered a classic, but Gloria Swanson's performance just feels like overacting at times. Besides which, I'm a Bette Davis fan in general. I've never paid much attention to Gloria Swanson.

[–] Otter (24464) 6 years ago

Of course Swanson overacted, but in a really brilliant way. Her Norma has lost all her normal human reactions, she can only express herself through overacting! That's the thing about her, the movements may be grandiose and artificial, but the feelings are REAL.

It is IMHO Swanson's only great screen performance, while Davis has what - dozens? If I prefer SB and I do, that doesn't take anything away from my admiration for Davis. The role of Norma was meant for another actress.

[–] Moviebuff1 (2835) 5 years ago

Sunset Blvd. hands down!

[–] Ed (527) 5 years ago

Both are great films. That said, I have watched All About Eve more times.

[–] snepts (11123) 5 years ago

I need to give Eve a proper watch. Seems like I've only seen bits and it was never on when I was ready to settle in and absorb it. SB I only saw once, but it was a doozy. So unique and over-the-top, just a lot of fun.